With his bright red, double-breasted suit, matching fedora-style hat and a neatly trimmed salt-and-pepper beard, Tucker Lott is guaranteed one of the coolest Santas you’ll ever meet. In some ways, the 72 year-old feels like the walking incarnation of James Brown’s 1968 yuletide LP “Soulful Christmas” mixed with the best of Kansas City’s holiday spirit.
For the past four years, this suave Santa can be found anywhere from 18th and Vine to Blue Parkway reading short stories to children or listening to them rattle off their Christmas wish lists before taking a picture on his lap.
His organization, The Soul of Santa Do Good Foundation, works year-round to spread Christmas cheer, while offering events and programming that often center Kansas City’s most underserved communities.
“The Soul of Santa symbolizes the privilege each and every one of us has to celebrate Christmas in a manner that reflects our heritage and our belief in the spirit of the holiday known as Christmas and all that it represents,” The Soul of Santa website reads.
Lott said God first gave him a vision for the Soul of Santa in 1996, and in the past 20-plus years, the concept has grown immensely. Now his team is hosting star-studded benefit concerts with award-winning singers like Eric Benét and Chanté Moore, donating toys and food to families and offering financial literacy sessions.
“[It’s] more than just the holiday,” Lott said. “It’s about people’s lives, making their lives better. Giving people a fair chance. If we can do something every day of the year, something so small becomes something so big for those in need.”
The Star’s reporters and photographers partnered with the Soul of Santa to offer free holiday portraits during the organization’s community breakfast and toy giveaway at the Shops on Blue Parkway earlier this month. The Star’s team was able to fellowship and meet lots of families, while snapping dozens of portraits.
Tucker Lott, left, posed for a portrait with his family at the Soul of Santa breakfast. Lott is the founder of the Soul of Santa Do Good Foundation. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The event was another reminder that the holidays in Kansas City are one of a kind.
“I feel Kansas City is the best place — the right place at the right time for me to do God’s work,” Lott said.
Lott and The Soul of Santa Do Good Foundation’s efforts are one of many traditions that make up the beautiful patchwork of celebrations that can be found throughout Kansas City every holiday season.
From the Mayor’s Christmas Tree and the Fairy Princess at the Kansas City Museum, to families staying up all night to prepare tamales for Christmas Eve, to the myriad of holiday light displays, there’s a special spirit that takes over the city of fountains each year that is hard to miss.
Here’s a glimpse at many of those traditions throughout the city that make the holiday season in Kansas City so special.
Alongside photos showcasing how Kansas Citians make the season one to remember are portraits of Kansas City families who joined The Star at the Soul of Santa community breakfast event, as well as families who joined The Star at our holiday portrait pop-up event at Crown Center.
Our staff feels honored to have gotten to celebrate the holidays in community with so many of you, and we look forward to doing our best to serve you in the new year.
Server Travis Jones steps out of a holiday-decorated igloo where guests were tucked inside with cocktails and appetizers on Dec. 15 at Nine Zero One Igloo Bar & Lounge on the rooftop at The Fontaine, a hotel on the Country Club Plaza. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
To spread some joy, The Star offered free holiday portraits for readers on a couple of weekends in December. Here are some of the people who stopped in for a photo and to share their joyful smiles. Tammy Ljungblad, Emily Curiel, Nick Wagner The Kansas City Star
The Fairy Princess, also known as Olivia Pikul, 23, listened as Eloise Newberry, 3, of Gladstone, Missouri, shared her Christmas wish with her during a visit Dec. 8 at the Betty Milbank Waldrop Salon at the Kansas City Museum. The holiday tradition traces its beginnings to 1935 at Kline’s Department Store. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Set against the backdrop of the Kansas City skyline, the Kauffman Performing Arts Center hits a striking note while bathed in holiday lights. Rich Sugg rsugg@kcstar.com
A candy cane-themed light display is one of several elaborate holiday displays on West 68th Terrace near Wornall Road in the Armour Fields neighborhood of Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Members of the Heart of America Chorus belted out Christmas carols during a Dec. 17 stop at the Brookdale Overland Park senior living community as part of their 2022 Caroling Caravan. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Jewish leaders celebrate the second night of Hanukkah with the lighting of a 12-foot-tall menorah outside City Hall in which Kansas City, Missouri. The group, including members of The Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Federation said the display of unity is a first step in combating increasing antisemitism. Rich Sugg rsugg@kcstar.com
Xavier Garcia, 3, right, was captivated by the glow of the Lee’s Summit Magic Tree while sitting with his mother, Angela Garcia, on an overcast December evening. The tree is located near I-470 and View High Drive. Rich Sugg rsugg@kcstar.com
Angelica Vincent, left, Elaina Ramirez and Victoria Rojas prepare tamales at home on Dec. 8 in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Elaina Ramirez assembles freshly wrapped tamales in a pot. Making tamales has been part of her family’s tradition during the holidays and has been passed down for three generations. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
This year marks the Country Club Plaza’s centennial and the 93rd year of the Plaza Lights. Eighty miles of lights have been inspected one-by-one and are officially lit on Thanksgiving evening. Rich Sugg File photo
Patty Scholten of Garden City, Missouri, kisses her husband Chris after holiday lights were switched on at the Country Club Plaza during the 93rd annual Thanksgiving night lighting ceremony. Nick Wagner nwagner@kcstar.com
With children’s faces glued to the windshield or popping out of sunroofs, thousands of viewers are greeted by a tunnel of lights at the 35th annual Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake Campground. This magical winter wonderland features one million lights and 175 animated displays. Donations benefit 39 local charities. Rich Sugg rsugg@kcstar.com
Seen from above, the Christmas in the Park light display at Longview Lake is a colorful loop of lighted displays that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Rich Sugg rsugg@kcstar.com
Families had their portraits taken during two special holiday portrait events by The Star. Tammy Ljungblad, Emily Curiel The Kansas City Star
Seven-month-old Brynlee Audley got her first glimpse of Santa and Mrs. Claus, also known as Richard and Patricia Jones, during Brunch and Cookies in the Wonder Dome on Dec. 17 at the OurHouseKC restaurant, 1815 W. 39th St. in Kansas City. Brynlee made the visit with her parents Jacquie and John Audley of Overland Park. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Crown Center is a hub of holiday activity for children and adults. This year it celebrates its 50th year as home to the Mayor’s Christmas Tree and lighting ceremony. The tree is a symbol of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which is dedicated to assisting the people of Kansas City during the holiday season. Rich Sugg rsugg@kcstar.com
Holiday lights reflect off the lake on Dec. 6 at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
This story was originally published December 25, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
Visuals Editor Chris Ochsner leads The Star’s talented staff of photojournalists and video producers. He’s had his hand in directing visuals coverage since 2002. Ochsner led the visuals team in its coverage of four Super Bowls and two World Series.
